It’s Colorado’s good fortune to have an incredible selection of museums to choose from. If you haven’t visited one in a while, here’s what’s going on all over the state:
SCIENCE
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The museum offers a variety of exhibits and activities that explain the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth and the universe. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily|$6-$10, group discounts available; combination museum, IMAX and planetarium tickets available |2001 Colorado Blvd., 303-322-7009, 800-925-2250, TTY: 303-370-8257, dmns.org
Wings Over the Rockies
Colorado’s official air and space museum hosts exhibits about aviation and space endeavors of the past, present and future. Open Cockpit Day is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. the second Saturday of each month. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m Sunday|$7 ages 13-64, $6 seniors, $5 ages 6-12; group rates and tours available|7711 E. Academy Blvd., 303-360-5360, wingsmuseum.org
HISTORY
American Numismatic Association Money Museum
-Sept. 30|”The Money of the World Today!” an exhibit offering samples of coins and paper money from 192 countries on six continents. Also showing “The Faces of Money: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly,” an exhibit of money made throughout history, through September 2007. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday|Free|818 N. Cascade Ave., 719-632-2646 (COIN), 800-367-9723, money.org|COLORADO SPRINGS
Aurora History Museum
-Sept. 17|”On the Backs of Soldiers,” an exhibit showcasing soldier artifacts. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday|Free|15001 E. Alameda Parkway, 303-739-6666, aurora museum.org|AURORA
Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum
-Jan. 28|”Out of Disaster: Hope: Buffalo Bill in New Orleans,” an exhibit about Buffalo Bill’s visit to New Orleans in 1884-85. The museum showcases the life, times and legacy of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday |Free-$3|Lookout Mountain Road, 303-526-0747, buffalobill.org|GOLDEN
Colorado History Museum
Exhibits include “The Jewelry of Ben Nighthorse,” a traveling exhibit, through Dec. 31, 2006; “A Woman’s Place … Is on the Range,” the exhibit focuses on the role women have played since the 1800s in ranching, cattle, stock and more, through Dec. 31, 2007; “Uncovering the Exceptional: A Colorado Carver’s View”; “Ancient Voices: Stories of Colorado’s Distant Past,” exploring the cultural lives of Colorado’s ancient peoples. “History Express” is offered Saturdays 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Games, crafts, costumes and more are available around historical themes that change weekly. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday|Free-$7, free admission for children under 12 every Saturday; group rates available|1300 Broadway, 303-866-3682, coloradohistory.org
Colorado Railroad Museum
A replica of an 1880s-style depot, the museum features thousands of old photographs, artifacts and documents illustrating the histories of the railroads |Free-$7|17155 W. 44th Ave., 303-279-4591, 800-365-6263, crrm.org|GOLDEN
Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum
-Oct. 14|”Pike’s World: Exploration and Empire in the Greater Southwest,” the first of three exhibits commemorating the Pikes Expedition Bicentennial. Also showing “Looming Large: The Artist Legacy of Pikes Peak,” through March 2007. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday|Free |215 S. Tejon St., 719-385-5990, cspm.org|COLORADO SPRINGS
Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
-Oct. 31|”American Girls Dolls,” “Bears and Books” and “Summertime, Grand Ole Summertime.” The museum, in the Pearce-McAllister Cottage, offers a variety of dolls, dollhouses, toys and teddy bears. Also showing: “The Circus Is in Town,” a permanent exhibit showcasing a miniature circus that was 17 years in the making. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday|$4-$5|1880 Gaylord St., 303-322-1063, dmmdt.com
El Pueblo History Museum
-Dec. 31|”Explorer or Spy?: The Pike Legacy,” an exhibit commemorating the bicentennial of Lt. Zebulon Pike’s Louisiana Territory expedition|$4, $3 seniors, children 5-12 and students with I.D., free children under 5 daily, children 12 and under are free Saturdays|301 N. Union Ave., 719-583-0453, coloradohistory.org|PUEBLO
Fort Lupton Museum
-Oct. 31|Hosting an exhibit of old and new sport items. The museum is hosting its annual “History Alive” program at Fort Lupton Hillside Cemetery, 1-3 p.m. Sept. 24. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday|453 First St., 303-857-1634 |FORT LUPTON
Limon Heritage Museum
-M|”Tornado 1990,” an exhibit examin- ing the the tornado that struck downtown 16 years ago, through Monday. Four rail cars, a 1914 rail lunch counter diner, pioneer schoolhouse, Western saddle exhibit and more. Also showing: “A History of Faithfulness,” an exhibit of area churches from the 1890s, an exhibit building, 1910 depot, historic windmills and more. 1-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday |Free|Limon Union Depot, 899 First St., 719-775-8605, townoflimon.com/culture/museum/limon|LIMON
Longmont Museum & Cultural Center
-SU|”Steel Awakening: The Art of Bruce Campbell,” works by the Boulder County artist. Also showing “The Corner Pantry: Grocery Shopping Through the Decades,” antique tins, boxes, bottles and more, through Oct. 15. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, until 8 p.m. Wednes- day, 1-5 p.m. Sunday|Free|400 Quail Road, 303-651-8374, ci.longmont.co.us/museum|LONGMONT
Molly Brown House Museum
-Sept. 30|”Roaring Twenties,” an exhibit focusing on the last decade of Molly Brown’s life. Restored Victorian home of Titanic heroine Molly (Margaret) Brown. Thirty-minute guided tours. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday|Free-$6|1349 Pennsylvania St., 303-832-4092, mollybrown.org
National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum
-Sept. 30|”The Gilman Project,” an exhibit of what remains of the abandoned mining town, in a photo collection of the crumbling town by Greg Dahlgren and Scot Gerdes|Free-$6|120 W. Ninth St., 719-486-1229|LEADVILLE
Western Museum of Mining and Industry
-April 30|”Colorado Rockhounding” features mineral specimens including agates, epidote and smoky quartz crystal. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday|Free-$6|1025 N. Gate Road, 719-488-0880|COLORADO SPRINGS
